EDUCATION
Poetry
Listen and let Langston
Hughes begin.
Langston Hughes a Black Poet from Joplin Missouri who helped shape modernism in America, he was born on February 1st in 1902. Langston Hughes was an important figure in the literary world in 1920, the period known as "The Harlem Renaissance" a time when black writers were emerging. His first book in poetry titled 'The Weary Blues' publicised in 1926, in 1903 he won the Harmon Gold Medal for literature with his first novel 'Not without Laughter.'
Du Bose Heyward wrote in the New York Herald Tribune in 1926: "Langston Hughes, although only twenty-four years old, is already conspicuous in the group of Negro intellectuals who are dignifying Harlem with a genuine art life. . . . It is, however, as an individual poet, not as a member of a new and interesting literary group, or as a spokesman for a race that Langston Hughes must stand or fall. . . . (Heyward, DB., 1926)
I love this quote by Langston Hughes, its simple and to the point "I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go."
– Langston Hughes
Clear your mind and begin press PLAY:
My 16 year old son Lorenz introduced me this poet Suli-Breaks maybe in order for me to think outside the box and chill. Stop talking about revision with his GCSEs approaching this summer 2013.
This video blew me away, I was seriously impressed. His words and how he puts his point across confidently, but effectively. He explains the unexplainable and goes deep and makes you the viewer question the system of education and beyond. How it's all interconnected to life, growing up, school, college, university and the real world of work. A local boy from Walthamstow in East London, where I'm from.
"My emphasis is on people changing their attitude towards education - whether they're students or teachers," he explains. "You don't have to reform the whole structure of the curriculum but people need an understanding that just because you're not good at a subject doesn't mean you're not going to succeed"
Suli Breaks with one of his inspirational mottos
Suli Breaks is the visual spoken word poet takingYoutube by storm, his words touch young people and provokes a reaction, it makes them think and ask questions about the system of education. He started uses poetry while at university, it was not until his final year that he decided to pursue his spoken word as he enjoyed it. His work 'Why I hate school but love education' poem has had over 2 MILLION hits on Youtube, this success has surprised him. He is in no way encouraging students to drop out of school, college or university, but he knows what they are going through, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Suli Breaks poetry works visually with his use of text in bold colours of red, white and black as he speaks. His use of language and how he asks questions and answers, as well as providing factual information about important people in society. It's interesting how he turns the camera on the viewer watching him through the lens as he speaks, it works.
"At the end of the day I'm an artist who just likes expressing myself and if someone;s enjoying my work that's enough of a satisfaction." (Breaks, S., 2013)
Langston Hughes a Modernist thought for educational freedom for all and unity. He believed in equality and a fairer system for all one day, and to be part of the system. Whereas Suli Breaks a Post-modernist questions education and is fighting for individuality, creativity, freedom of expression. He questions the systems, the rules and he is asking the question How do you define education? Both men use their artistic skills in a positive, progressive and visual way with the power of the spoken word.
References
Harper, D, A, S., 'Langston Hughes' 'Black History Month' [Online] Available at: http://www.gale.cengage.com/free_resources/bhm/bio/hughes_l.htm (Accessed 28/04/13)
The poetry Foundation (2013) 'Biography' 'Langston Hughes 1902-1967' [Online] Available at http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/langston-hughes (Accessed 28/04/13)
Sherriff, L., (2013) ' Suli Breaks, spoken world poet, On Success Of Why I hate School, but Love Education' (video) 'Huffpost Young Talent' 24 April [Online] Available at ttp://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/04/24/suli-breaks-spoken-word-poet-hate-school-love-education_n_3145169.htm (Accessed 29/0413)
YouTube videos
Langston Hughes
Suli Breaks
http://mylens1.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/modernismpost-modernism.html
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